Task forces to study decline in arecanut productivity across Kerala: Agriculture Minister

The State government has decided to constitute district-level task forces comprising agricultural experts and Agriculture department officials to address the crisis faced by arecanut farmers in various districts.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Agriculture Minister T. Siddique in Wayanad on Monday (June 15). The government views with serious concern the sharp decline in arecanut productivity in several districts due to yellow leaf disease and fungal infections, the Minister said.

Mr. Siddique noted that arecanut farmers from Kasaragod to Palakkad, as well as in some southern districts, were facing severe difficulties. “The district-level task forces are being formed to identify the specific causes of declining yields and disease outbreaks and to recommend solutions,” he said.

In addition to Agriculture department officials, the task forces will include scientists and agricultural experts from Kerala Agricultural University and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. They have been directed to conduct detailed studies within three weeks and propose comprehensive solutions to the problems faced by farmers.

“The task forces will examine a range of issues, including climate change, changes in soil composition, problems related to the use of fertilisers and pesticides, the adoption of disease-resistant planting material, and possible preventive measures for arecanut palms already affected by diseases,” Mr. Siddique said.

The Minister said a report would be prepared on measures that could be implemented in coordination with the Local Self-Government department to support arecanut cultivation by integrating various Central and State government schemes and projects. Based on this, further action will be taken to develop a lasting solution to the problems faced by arecanut farmers, he added.